Mathematics Placement Test (MPT)

California State University, Northridge placement exam in math determine eligibility to enroll in specific math courses at CSUN. The Mathematics Placement Test is required for students to enroll in Math 102, 103, 104, 105, 150A and 255A. The MPT test is an on campus only exam.

General Information

The Mathematics Placement Test is a CSUN test that is used to determine eligibility for enrollment in Math 102, 103, 104, 105, 150A and 255A. Test scores are valid for up to two (2) semesters preceding enrollment in courses.

The MPT exam will consist of 31 Intermediate Algebra problems and 9 Trigonometry and Logarithm problems. The score in the Algebra portion (abbreviated ALG) will be used to place students into Math 102, 103, 104 and 105. For placement into Calculus, MATH 150A or MATH255A, both the Algebra and the Trigonometry and Logarithm scores (abbreviated TR) will be used. Students will have 90 minutes to complete the test.

Calculators are not permitted during the test.

This is an ON-CAMPUS test only and results are for CSUN courses only, nontransferable.

Exemptions

The math placement test (MPT) must be completed by all entering undergraduates in STEM majors (science, technology, engineering and math), with the exception of those who present proof of one of the following:

A score of 4 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Calculus AB exam

Retake Policy

Students who do not meet the required score on the test must wait three (3) months before taking the MPT again.

Test Dates

The Mathematics Placement Test is a CSUN test that is used to determine eligibility for enrollment in Math 102, 103, 104, 105, 150A and 255A. Test scores are valid for up to two (2) semesters preceding enrollment in courses.

The MPT exam will consist of 31 Intermediate Algebra problems and 9 Trigonometry and Logarithm problems. The score in the Algebra portion (abbreviated ALG) will be used to place students into Math 102, 103, 104 and 105. For placement into Calculus, MATH 150A or MATH255A, both the Algebra and the Trigonometry and Logarithm scores (abbreviated TR) will be used. Students will have 90 minutes to complete the test.

Calculators are not permitted during the test.

This is an ON-CAMPUS test only and results are for CSUN courses only, nontransferable.

Test dates and registration deadlines are as shown below.

Test and Registration Dates for Chemistry Placement Test (CPT)

Test Date

Registration Begins at 9 a.m. on

Registration Ends at noon on

Reporting Location

Exam Time

June 15, 2019

May 13, 2019

June 7, 2019

Sierra Walk

12 p.m.

August 21, 2019

July 1, 2019

August 16, 2019

Sagebrush Hall

10:30 a.m.

October 12, 2019

August 26, 2019

October 4, 2019

Sagebrush Hall

9 a.m.

January 15, 2020

October 14, 2019

January 10, 2020

Sagebrush Hall

10 a.m.

March 7, 2020

January 20, 2020

February 28, 2020

Sagebrush Hall

9 a.m.

April 11, 2020

March 9, 2020

April 3, 2020

Sagebrush Hall

10:30 a.m.

May 30, 2020

April 13, 2020

May 22, 2020

Sagebrush Hall

9 a.m.

For information on specific exam time and location, visit the Testing Calendar page.

Registration

Students can register for CSUN campus tests through the online registration system. Students must have available their CSUN user ID, password and CSUN email address before accessing the online registration system. The registration process is convenient and easy. It should take approximately five to ten minutes to complete.

Students must register online for the Math Placement Test at least one week prior to the test date. Visit the Register for Tests page to register.

There is a $10 charge for the MPT. Students must have a credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or a checking account in order to pay and finish the registration process. If a student cannot pay by these methods, they should visit the Testing Center in Bayramian Hall 190 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Testing Accommodations

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Alternative testing accommodations such as extended time, electronic text, readers or scribes are available through the Disability Resources and Educational Services department to students that have a documented disability and require accommodations to take the exam. If you are not a registered student with DRES and have a disability, please visit the DRES website for registration procedures.

Registered DRES students can sign up online for the MPT. Students will need to check the optional accommodation box to indicate their accommodation request. The DRES department will contact the student to verify accommodations and make alternate testing arrangements. The university MPT registration deadlines apply to all students, and accommodation requests must be submitted by the registration deadline.

Accommodations for Religious Observances

Non-Saturday testing is available for religious observances. If your religious observance prevents you from taking the test on the scheduled test date, you can sign up online for the MPT. Students will need to check the optional accommodation box to indicate their accommodation request. The Testing Center will contact the student to verify accommodations and make alternate testing arrangements. Students can contact the Testing Center at (818) 677-2369 for more information. Students will be required to provide documentation. The university MPT registration deadlines apply to all students, and accommodation requests must be submitted by the registration deadline.

Printing your Access Pass

MPT Access Pass will not be available to print until 3 days prior to your exam date.

Log in to the registration website using your CSUN user ID and password (at the bottom of the page)

Select My Registrations tab

Locate the test for which you need an access pass

Click on the button, Show Access Pass

Print access pass

MPT Checklist

2 weeks before the test

Check your ID

Does your name (first and last only) on your photo ID match the name on your CSUN student record? Corrections must be submitted to the Admissions & Records Office no later than the Friday prior to your test date. If you file a name change, be sure to notify the Testing Center to ensure it is reflected on your access pass. NO changes will be made once access pass becomes available.

Report to test location no later than start time of your respective exam. Allow yourself at least 15 minutes for arrival and parking is recommended.

Take only page 1 of your access pass to the test. Leave this checklist at home.

Do not take any prohibited items or electronic devices (including cell phones) to the test. Possession and/or use of such items is grounds for immediate dismissal from the test.

If you have any questions, please contact the Testing Center at 818.677.2369 or via email at
.

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO CONTACT US WITH QUESTIONS.

Test Day

Items Needed for Testing

MPT Access Pass. When you registered for the MPT you should have printed out your access pass. If not, visit the Testing Center Online Registration page to do so prior to testing day. You must take the access pass with you to testing. Your access pass will contain the following pertinent information: reporting time, reporting address, test center instructions, and test center procedures.

The address on the access pass is a reporting address. Test takers are responsible for obtaining directions and arriving at the test location no later than the reporting time. The Testing Center strongly advises you to check the institution's website for specific directions to the test location, as well as for parking information and a campus map. Internet map searches may not provide reliable information specific to the reporting location. On test day where multiple rooms or buildings are used, the address will be a centralized location. You will be directed from there to a specific testing room or building.

For the administrations of the MPT, test takers are required to be at the reporting location no later than their respective test time. Refer to your MPT Access Pass for the exact test date and reporting time.

Prior to reporting to the test location, you must carefully read all pages of your access pass. Only page one of the access pass should be brought to the test. Your access pass may be used only for the test date printed on it.

The Testing Center recommends that test takers print out their MPT Access Pass the night before the exam to ensure that they have the most recent and accurate reporting address for their test. Alternate access passes will NOT be available on test day.

NOTE: Test takers should expect the test day to cover up to two hours.

Identification. You must have a photo ID that contains a recent and recognizable photo that contains your first and last name.

Acceptable common forms of ID include, but are not limited to:

Passport book

Passport card

Driver's license

State or province-issued ID card

US military ID card (Common Access Card, or CAC)

US Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

Canadian Permanent Resident Card

National ID card

Consular ID card

CSUN ID

In some cases, a temporary driver's license if that license has both a physical description and a signature and must be presented along with CSUN student identification card

IMPORTANT: Photo identification MUST contain a recent and recognizable photo, your first and last name. Under no circumstances will access be permitted to the test center without proper ID. If you have questions about whether your ID is acceptable, you must contact the Testing Center at least seven (7) days PRIOR to your registered test date for review.

The following items are NOT acceptable forms of ID for access to the test center: Social Security card, Social Insurance card, birth certificate, photocopied ID.

Pencils. Bring to the test center three or four sharpened No. 2 or HB wooden pencils—with good erasers. Pencils or sharpeners will not be supplied at the test center.

Items Allowed in the Test Room

Test takers may bring into the test room only a clear plastic Ziploc bag, maximum size one gallon (3.79 liter), which must be stored under the chair. The sealed Ziploc bag may contain only the following items: valid ID; wallet; keys; analog (nondigital) wristwatch; medical or feminine hygiene products (including diabetic testing supplies); #2 or HB wooden pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, and tissues. All items must fit in the Ziploc bag such that the bag can be sealed.

Items Allowed on the Desktop

Test takers may only have pencils, erasers, and a pencil sharpener on the desktop. No electronic devices are permitted. Neither are timers of any kind except analog wristwatches.

Items Prohibited in the Testing Location

You may not bring into the testing center or use any of the following:

hats/hoods/beanies (except religious apparel) must be removed when entering the room and placed at the front of the room until completion of the exam

weapons or firearms

IMPORTANT: Electronic devices, including cell phones, are not permitted in the test room, and the use of any electronic device is strictly prohibited. Any test taker discovered in possession of or using an electronic device, including but not limited to cell phones, pay phones, pagers, iPods™ or other media players, or personal computers, will be dismissed from the test and their test will not be scored. This policy will be enforced from the time test takers arrive at the test until they leave at the conclusion of the test—including restroom breaks. Violations will be grounds for score cancellation and you may be subject to a CSUN investigation. Test center staff assume no responsibility for personal items.

Test Center Regulations

Seating. The supervisor will assign each test taker a seat. Test takers are not permitted to choose their own seats, rooms, or building.

No latecomers. Under no circumstances will supervisors admit anyone after testing begins.

Restroom use. Use the restroom before checking in; once you are checked in, you will not be permitted to leave until after the start of the test.

Test administration. The supervisor will tell you when to start and stop work. Start and stop times will be written on the board.

Time. Supervisors will keep the official time. You may take an analog (nondigital) wristwatch to the test center. No other timers—including electronic and countdown timers—are allowed.

Testing staff. Testing staff will circulate throughout the testing room to ensure that examinees are working on the exam and no other materials are in use. The supervisor will announce a ten-minutes-remaining warning.

Scratch paper. Scratch paper or any other paper is not permitted.

Hats/hoods/beanies. No hats, hoods or beanie may be worn on the head (except items of religious apparel).

Food and drink. Food and drink may not be consumed during the test. Food and drinks are allowed if placed in the sealed Ziploc bag in the testing room.

Leaving the room. If you find it necessary to leave the room during the test, raise your hand and obtain permission from the room supervisor. Your test materials will be collected and held until your return. You will not be permitted to make up the time. Use the restroom before reporting to the check-in station; once checked in, you will not be permitted to leave until after the start of the test.

Test Center Violations/Irregularities. Room supervisors will report to Testing Supervisor any test center violation/irregularity that occurs during the administration.

Testing materials. All testing materials, including test booklets and answer sheets are the property of California State University Northridge Testing Center and must be returned to the room supervisor before dismissal from the test. Under no circumstances may test content or any part of the test be removed, reproduced, or disclosed by any means (e.g., hard copy, verbally, electronically) to any person or entity. Legal action may be taken against anyone who removes or reproduces test materials in any way, or shares CSUN test content.

Creating a disturbance. Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated. The test supervisor has sole discretion in determining what constitutes disruptive behavior. The test supervisor is authorized to dismiss from the test center any test taker who creates a disturbance.

Rights and Responsibilities of Test Takers

When you take the MPT, it is your responsibility to report all instances of suspected cheating on the part of any test takers and any other inappropriate behavior that becomes known to you.

You are an important part of protecting the MPT and ensuring a fair test environment. Cheating impacts everyone. If you believe that you have information about actual or potential test security violations, please contact the Testing Center office immediately.

Test Center Violations and Irregularities

If you engage in any test center violation or irregularity during the test—such as creating a disturbance; giving or receiving help; working on or reading the test during a time not authorized by the supervisor; removing test materials or notes from the testing room; taking part in an act of impersonation or other forms of cheating; failing to follow the directions of test center staff; or using books, ear plugs, rulers, papers of any kind, or other aids—you may receive a warning or you may be dismissed from the testing room, have your test score canceled by the Testing Center and you may be subject to other penalties for test center violations or irregularities.

Possible Penalties

Test takers who violate test center regulations, including but not limited to those listed below, will be subject to a warning notice, dismissal from the test center, and/or cancellation of their test score. Test takers may have their cases referred for further investigation to the Student Misconduct Board.

Possible Test Center Violations

Attempting to take the test for someone else or having someone else take the test for you.

Obtaining or attempting to obtain improper access to the test, a part of the test, or information about the test.

Creating a disturbance. (Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated; the test supervisor has sole discretion in determining what constitutes disruptive behavior.)

Removing or attempting to remove test content from the test center.

NOTE: Under no circumstances may test content or any part of the test content, including the topic sheet, be removed, reproduced, and/or disclosed by any means (e.g., hard copy, verbally, electronically) to any person or entity. This includes making notes on paper, erasers, or other items and removing them from the test center. Legal action may be taken against anyone who removes test materials and/or reproduces test materials in any way.

Bringing a weapon or firearm into the test center.

Leaving the test center vicinity during the test session or during a restroom break. Test takers may not leave the building or the floor where the test room is located.

Leaving the test room without permission.

Reading, working on, marking, or erasing during unauthorized times, either beyond time limits or before the start of the test in the test booklet.

Copying or other forms of cheating.

Electronic Devices: NO-TOLERANCE POLICY

The Testing Center has adopted a no-tolerance policy with regard to possession of electronic devices. Under no circumstances are test takers permitted to bring an electronic device into the test area. Test supervisors and their staff are advised NOT to hold such items and are instructed to dismiss any test taker found in possession of or using an electronic device. Such devices include, but are not limited to:

Viewing MPT Scores on SOLAR

Scores are available through SOLAR approximately one to two weeks after the test administration. Scores are not provided over the phone or via email.

Test Scores

Test scores are valid for up to two (2) semesters preceding enrollment in courses.

In scoring the test, only correct answers will be counted. If you have no idea which of the answers to a given question is correct, you should leave the question blank. If you happen to guess correctly answers to questions you do not understand, you may be advised to take a course for which you are not adequately prepared. Your examination results will be posted on SOLAR one week after the test.

Math Courses and Prerequisites

Course #

Fully Prepared

Conditionally Prepared

MATH 102

16 in ALG section of MPT

14 in ALG section of MPT or credit in MATH 093; AND credit for or currently enrolled in MATH 102L

MATH 103

16 in ALG section of MPT

14 in ALG section of MPT or credit in MATH 093; AND credit for or currently enrolled in MATH 103L

MATH 104

23 in ALG section of MPT or “B-” in MATH 102

20 in ALG section of MPT or 74 in ELM or “C-” in MATH 102; AND credit for or currently enrolled in MATH 104L

MATH 105

19 in ALG section of MPT or "B-" in MATH 102

17 in ALG section of MPT or 68 in ELM or "C-" in MATH 102; AND credit for or currently enrolled in MATH 105L

MATH 150A

23 in ALG and 6 in TR sections of MPT or “B-” in both MATH 102 and MATH 104 or“B-” in MATH 105

20 in ALG and 4 in TR sections of MPT or “C-” in both MATH 102 and MATH 104 or “C-” in MATH 105; AND credit for or currently enrolled in MATH 150AL

MATH 255A

23 in ALG and 6 in TR sections of MPT or “B-” in both MATH 102 and MATH 104 or“B-” in MATH 105

20 in ALG and 4 in TR sections of MPT or “C-” in both MATH 102 and MATH 104 or “C-” in MATH 105; AND credit for or currently enrolled in MATH 255AL

MATH 150B

“B-” in MATH 150A or 5 in AP Calculus AB

“C-” in MATH 150A or 4 in AP Calculus AB; AND credit for or currently enrolled in MATH 150BL

MATH 255B

“B-” in MATH 255A or 5 in AP Calculus AB

“C-” in MATH 255A or 4 in AP Calculus AB; AND credit for or currently enrolled in MATH 255BL